Views From the Plantation House, July 1960
Today's photographer took no less than seven photos from old Plantation House's outside dining area. I suppose it's not that surprising, given the first-rate view of the Rivers of America, and all of its rafts, canoes, and big boats a-coming and a-going. But seven pictures? Cool it, daddy-o!
So, there it is, a pretty familiar view. It's clear that this scene must have been truly amazing to behold for the photographer. "The neighbors are going to think we went to Missouri!". Frontierland looks pretty busy on this July day.
One raft waits to return to the mainland, while another is ready to head over to Tom Sawyer Island.
And a fully loaded canoe goes scooting by, leaving barely a ripple on the already-glassy river.
11 comments:
Major-
Oh how I love thee... Rivers of America of yore-! So many vessels moving hither and yon - including The Columbia, peaking its head out above the tree line on TSI. Sigh...
Thanks, Major.
A view that charming during breakfast would make pancakes taste twice as good. Pass the maple syrple!
About a week ago, I watched the 1938 film "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" with Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran and Walter Brennan. The scenes where Tom and Huck take a river raft to the island in the middle of the Mississippi River reminded me so much of Disneyland's own Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. I wonder if the look and feel of the film influenced the design of Walt Disney's own Tom Sawyer Island? Walt and his Imagineers sure knew what they were doing when they created this wonderful panorama of the American frontier.
Melissa, I read the other day that Disneyland brought back the Mickey Mouse Pancakes to the River Belle Terrace breakfast menu. Not sure if that matters at this point though. I'd probably have to stand in line for two hours to get them.
That second shot seem to be taken from a more elevated level than the other two. Could it have been taken from the second level of the Plantation House? Was the second story even a "real" one and if so, did they allow people to go up there?
Ken, if you don't want to wait two hours for Mickey Mouse pancakes, you could just wait 40 minutes for a corn dog. ;-)
I guess I should have done my research BEFORE asking about the second level of the Plantation House: Plantation House
Fully loaded canoe is a bit of an understatement. That canoe looks a couple of churros shy of taking on some serious water. Back then I guess it would be bags of Fritos or later those nasty little chimmis (in a foil) sold out of the cart in Frontierland.
They need Jack Lalane (in jumpsuit) aft barking out..stroke..stroke.
Busy day based on the full rafts and MT decks.
Nice shots, thanks.
So much to see and do on the River. The heady days of the early 60s, the only vessel missing is a Keel Boat. It really does look like this might be a scene from the Mississippi somewhere down south. Since we are all back in time, lets meet at Aunt Jemima's for pancakes before we hit the War Canoes. I bet after all that food we sink it!
Nanook, yes, I should have mentioned the Columbia in the distance, for completeness’ sake!
Melissa, mmm, pancakes with whipped butter; I love maple syrup, but my mom has recently gotten me into trying raspberry jam on pancakes, and it is really good.
K. Martinez, others have shown that certain movies have clearly influenced the design of Disneyland - such as the Doris Day movie, “Calamity Jane”, in which the Golden Garter Saloon was the basis for the Golden Horseshoe (both designed by Harper Goff). So it is very possible that Walt had fond memories of the 1938 Tom Sawyer movie and wanted his river to feel the same. Also, Mr. X just came back from a trip to Disneyland, and he said that the River Belle Terrace was open for breakfast (much to his surprise). He didn’t check to be sure that they had Mickey Mouse pancakes, however.
TokyoMagic!, reading ahead I see that you answered your own question! It’s not unreasonable though, considering how much of Disneyland’s second-story area is off limits to guests. Reading about those recent crowds, an article said that the line for Fastpass returns for Indy were over 30 minutes just to scan the pass. Insane. Life is too short for that nonsense.
TokyoMagic!, I was going to direct you to a photo I posted way back in 2006:
http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/plantation-house-december-29-1956.html
Alonzo, yes, that canoe is so loaded that I would be very nervous. One false move from any passenger could have resulted in a disaster! And those were the days when people were relatively svelte. Jack Lalane was an amazing guy, I remember his philosophy about food was, “If it tastes good, spit it out!”.
Jonathan, I do kind of wish there was a Keel Boat in one of the photos; I can’t recall if one appears in some of the other river pix that this guy took. I just found a great photo of Auntie J. that I will probably share as part of my 13-year anniversary in May.
Nothing like a busy river.
I read up Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" for a recent trip to St. Louis and New Orleans. He described the St. Louis docks with steam boats moored three-deep in the eager rush to load up and head down stream.
Most of this busy and successful river traffic came to an end with the Civil War when the River became a battlefield.
After the war, changes in technology made river piloting a thing of the past, although the traffic came back to pre-war levels, the prestige of the pilots never returned.
Obligatory:
Riverboat, ring your bell!
Fare thee well, Annabelle!
Luck is the lady that he loves the best.
Natchez to New Orleans,
Livin' on Jacks and Queens,
Maverick is a legend of the West!
Anon, I love “Life on the Mississippi” (and “Roughing It” too). Imagine seeing the Mississippi 150 years ago, teeming with river traffic. I’m also rewatching Ken Burns’ “The Civil War” on Netflix, such an amazing (and terrible) chapter in American history.
Melissa, yum, I love natchez with jalapeños and sour cream. (I've never seen Maverick, though I wish I had!).
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